North-south pipeline counselling offered

Counselling and other support services will be provided for communities affected by the controversial north-south pipeline.

Construction of the 70 kilometre pipeline from the Goulburn River near Yea to the Sugarloaf Reservoir near Melbourne began last week.

It will send a share of water savings made from irrigation upgrades in the state's north to the city.

The Mayor of Murrindindi, Lyn Gunter, says it has upset a lot of people who believe the water should stay in the region.

She says the Victorian Government must compensate affected communities with improved services.

"What we need to do is to be able to provide those services wherever we can, be aware of them, pass them on through the system to the Government and say, 'okay these are some ideas and opportunities for the community to get back on a steady footing again from the impact of what's occurring'," she said.